Tag Archives: millennials

For the first time in history, there are four generations actively in the work force, Traditionalists, Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials.

Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one one that comes after it.” – George Orwell

While each generation has it’s persona, millennials are highly engaged and actively involved in the nonprofit sector. According to a study by Walden University and Harriss Interactive, 81% have donated money, goods or services, despite our tough economy. They thrive to support causes that align with their values and personal belief systems.

Forbes contributor, Dan Schawbel, recently wrote an article, on why you can’t ignore the almost 80 million millennials who will soon be the leaders in our society.

We spend a lot of time teaching our nonprofit clients how to Bridge the Age Gap, Understanding Generational Communications but over the next several weeks, we will take a deep dive into how to connect, engage and motivate millennials through current research and interviews with those who are influencing their generation.

The Amazing Millennials, a fast coming-of-age demographic has been impacting our economy for several years now, do you know how to engage them?

First, let’s look at what you think you know:

Myth #1: Millennials don’t want to be told what to do. The reality? According to research done by the Center for Creative Leadership, that is not the case. Millennials currently in the workforce are MORE likely to defer authority than either baby boomers or Gen Xers.

Myth #2: Millennials lack organizational loyalty. In other words, they aren’t committed to their company and will change jobs when offered a small increase in salary. Not true! They are just a committed as their older counterparts. In fact, they can be deeply committed when they feel they are impacting their world.

Myth #3 Millennials don’t want to put in the hours to get ahead. In truth, both Gen Xers and millennials are willing to do the work, they just want to do it differently. They view time as currency, where their counterparts view time as an investment.

So what does all this mean? For the first time in history we have four generations in the workplace and these generation’s motivations are vastly different. The key to success, whether you’re in the nonprofit or business sector is the same, we must appreciate and respect each generation for what it has done in the past and what it offers our world in the future.